Re: [Fsuk-manchester] the non-free neighbour asking for help dilemma

[Dave Crossland]

2008/5/6 Lucy <address@hidden>:
> On 06/05/2008, Dave Crossland <address@hidden> wrote:
>> 2008/5/6 Lucy <address@hidden>:
>>  >
>>
>> > I would say how far you leave a person by themselves to re-install
>>  > Windows depends on the individual. In this case I think that
>>  > rebuilding trust is more important. Tim's brother has obviously had a
>>  > bad experience with free software and is now blaming it for his
>>  > current problems. So I think Tim should help him but explain that the
>>  > help will have to be limited in future (after all Tim's expertise lies
>>  > in free operating systems).
>>
>>
>> Yes, I'm assuming that anyone can reinstall Windows as long as the
>>  machine can boot CDs.
>
> That isn't always the case.

Yes

>>  Perhaps Tim could set up the machine to dualboot gNewSense and
>>  Windows, put enough free software on Windows to help his bro migrate
>>  his data to free formats.
>
> But, if his brother doesn't understand what gNewSense is and doesn't
> want to learn at the moment then it will never be used and will be
> nothing more than an annoyance.

That's up to the brother, not Tim.

> I'm suggesting that Tim works to open
> up a dialog and tries to install free software that his brother will
> use and will find useful.

And I agree with you about that :-)

> Once he discovers the technical advantages
> then he might be more open to learning about the moral advantages.

It seems clear to me from the 25 year history of the free software
movement that these are discrete issues.

-- 
Regards,
Dave

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